The Devil's Gamble

Summary

Sometimes even the Devil has to roll the dice...

Lucifer had realized that not even the Devil was immune from plans exploding in flames. A simple task to get one special female had resulted in his separation from hell and having to rely on two unlikely comrades. Add into the mix the female in question was his mate, and he was dealing with more complications that he could handle.

Desperate times called for desperate measures. To get back control of his realm and hopefully prevent a real hell on earth occurring meant rolling the dice and asking for help from a quarter he'd vowed never to contact again. A move he hoped didn't demand a price he couldn't pay when the bill fell due.

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The Devil's Gamble - Raven Anxo

One

What he’d wanted was space and silence. What he got was unwanted company in the shape of Gray. For three hours the pain in the ass fallen followed behind him firing off questions, ones he’d refused to answer. When he started repeating them for what he was sure was the hundredth time, Lucifer’s remaining patience evaporated leaving him fighting the urge to pluck the annoying bastard.

So, you going back?

That was it. He turned and slammed his hand against Gray’s chest, sending him crashing to the ground.

Hey! Mind the clothing. This is a classic t-shirt and should be respected.

All he could do was stare at the fallen as he got to his feet and started dusting himself down. I’m curious, do you actually have any brains in that head of yours?

Yes," came a huffed reply.

If that’s true, why didn’t you shock us both and use them?

What’s that supposed to mean?

He let out a long, frustrated sigh. It means that if you had used them you would have realized my silence was a sign I wanted to be alone.

Sorry no can do. Look, you need to remove that cactus from up your ass and help us get your realm out of the traitor’s hands.

Cactus up his ass? If Gray was trying to send him crazy he was well on his way to succeeding. I do not have, as you put it ‘a cactus up my ass.’ What I do have is a need for time to think.

You say thinking, I say avoiding.

The devil never avoided anything or anyone. Liar. His mind needed to shut up. The truth hurts, doesn’t it. As far as he was concerned, truth was subjective. I’m avoiding nothing.

Keep telling yourself that and you might actually end up believing it.

As it appears you hold all the answers, answer me this…why should I return when I know my presence would be less than warmly received by certain parties.

Awww, devil boy upset by a female? You starting to go soft?

You want me to prove I haven’t? he growled.

Yep, pull your balls up and go back.

Lucifer took a step towards Gray, his gaze narrowing as he stared at the pain in his ass. My balls are where they belong. Yours however are in danger of being removed. As the annoyance cupped himself, Lucifer smiled. I think that proves I haven’t gone soft.

You don’t play fair, Gray muttered.

The devil never does, he chuckled. Now to cease your constant yapping I’ll go back, but one word out of you before we return to your home will result in you becoming a soprano.

With his companion wisely choosing to stay silent as they walked, Lucifer was able to think. By the time he reached the doorway of the fallen’s home he had a plan in mind. One that almost slipped from his grasp as he walked in and caught sight of Kelsey and Sebastian talking as if they were old friends. The scene sparked a flare of jealousy which he barely managed to push down. Why should it concern him who she spoke to, he didn’t own her. You want to though. A mental warning given to his mind to shut the hell up, he strode over to where they stood. Forgive me for breaking up what I’m sure was a riveting conversation, he said sarcastically as Gray joined them, but I believe I have a solution to our current problem. Though, he said ignoring the look Kelsey gave him to focus on the fallen. I’m sure you won’t like it.

If you are going to put me in a situation where I can either get plucked or skewered, then you can bet your ass I won’t like it.

Oh, trust me when I say both are a possibility. You see my plan involves you taking Sebastian to the Gates of Hell. Getting to them will be relatively easy. Gaining entrance however will be another matter. For that you will require help and I know who can provide it. I will give you a document bearing my seal which you will give to a certain soul guard.

You want me to go to hell? Gray squeaked.

Oh, in so many ways, Lucifer grinned before continuing. The soul guard’s name is Shiriana. You will recognize her by her black and red hair. To confirm you gained the document from me willingly, I want you to tell her this. Pulling him to one side he whispered into his ear. Make sure you tell only her, understand?

Sure, but do I really have to go down there? It’s hot and will do nothing for my complexion.

Gray…

Fine, fine, I’ll go. Yeesh.

What about me? What can I do

Lucifer looked at Kelsey. You will remain here.

And why is that?

Because you are human, and until I know if you being the key offers you protection in my realm, I refuse to run the risk of you being harmed.

Sure it isn’t because you are scared I’ll fall into the hands of the one controlling it now?

I am not in the mood to get into a verbal sparring match with you, so think what you wish. I’m sure though the others will agree with my decision. Now, if you will all excuse me I’m going to write up the document, after which I would like to be left alone.

~*~

Why was it impossible to hold a conversation without one of them walking away hurt? Maybe because you are similar in temperament? If that was true they faced an uphill battle to find neutral ground to stand on.

Though you might not like it, he is correct, Sebastian said. To keep you safe you need to stay here. Myself and Gray will leave once Lucifer provides us with the document.

I know he’s right, she nodded. It’s just -, she stopped as he walked back into the room, handed a rolled-up piece of paper to Sebastian then left.

Sweets, Gray smiled. Maybe use this time to repair that rickety bridge between you and devil boy.

I think I’d have better luck plugging a hole in a dam than sorting out this, whatever it is between Luc and me.

Give it a shot. You never know, what you say might penetrate that thick skull of his.

I’ll try, she chuckled. You two be careful down there.

We will. Okay fangy, let’s get this show on the road.

When they vanished she walked over to the door separating her from Luc and pushed it open. Striding into the room, she grabbed one of the chairs it held and dragged it over to the bed. We need to talk, she said, sitting down.

I asked to be left alone.

Luc –

My name is Lucifer, came a curt reply.

Okay, so it wasn’t going to be easy. If you have no strong objections, I’d prefer to call you Luc. Her request gained her a low grunt in way of a reply. Can you at least turn to face me? I’d prefer to talk to your face not your back.

Arms crossed over her chest, Kelsey watched as he turned onto his right side then looked at her. His expression cold, showing no hint of emotion.

Better?

She refused to let him get to her. Can you honestly fault me for my reaction on discovering who you are?

No. But there was no reason for you to dismiss everything, to say I lied to you. That was a low blow.

But you did lie to me. From the outset, you led me to believe you were human. If that’s not a lie, then I don’t know what is.

Is it a lie if you made an assumption and I failed to correct you?

Luc, she sighed. What I saw, what I heard gave me no indication you were anything other than what I thought you to be. To say nothing. To allow me to continue working under that assumption was and remains wrong. Why didn’t you say something?

Because… he said, shifting his position to sit on the edge of the mattress.

Because what?

Because at the time it served my purpose to have you think me human. But things, feelings, and people change. Why else do you think I brought you here to protect you knowing I would have to reveal who I truly am?

If she wasn’t careful the conversation would spiral away from where she wanted it to go. Look, she said, getting up to sit next to him. I don’t know if I’ll be able to forgive you for what’s happened or trust you completely again. But can we at least try to be hospitable to one another while we all try to save you and your realm?

Given all that has passed between us I’m not sure if that is possible.

Maybe they had reached a point of no return. Deep down she hoped not. If I can try, surely you can?

Kelsey you have to understand my feelings for you haven’t weakened or diminished. They remain and I might not be able or willing to prevent them from coming to the surface. Would you be able to handle them if that happened?

I would make myself.

Then that would make you harder than me.

His reply caught her by surprise. Had she become hard where he was concerned? No, she refused to believe it. Her words were concerned only with his feelings, nothing more than that. That does make you hard. Luc – The shake of his head stopped her.

I would like to rest and continue to restore what I can of my power.

A dismissal. One that even though the tone wasn’t cold told her a barrier existed between them. And it was one she’d helped create. With their conversation over she left, closing the door behind her. The wood was a physical barrier she could deal with. The one between herself and Luc was on an internal level, and she hoped that even with it in place they could find a way to work together. Back braced against the wall she stared at the floor hoping Gray and Sebastian would soon return with good news, because that was something they all needed.

~ ~ ~ * ~ ~ ~

A cough fought back as they arrived in hell, Gray shuddered as the stench of brimstone and demons reached him. Both aromas less than welcomed, as were the bones that covered the ground. A quick glance towards his companion told him the vampire carried the same lack of enthusiasm for being in the realm as him. Stepping over another set of discarded remains, he came to a halt. There, he said, pointing ahead, are the Gates of Hell.

Even from this distance, they are imposing.

Imposing wasn’t exactly the word Gray would have chosen. Terrifying described them better. They are what the doomed fuckers are herded through. They have no damn clue what waits to greet them on the other side. You see the carvings on the wood? They are trapped souls writhing in agony.

Like I said. Imposing.

You are weird, you know that? he muttered as he ushered the vampire forward. They needed to find the soul guard and to do that meant getting closer to the gates. Not a prospect he welcomed.

They’d just reached the outer perimeter where the newly arrived souls were gathered before being moved on when a booming sound echoed through the air, quickly followed by the mournful howling of four Hell Hounds. With his hands covering his ears, he looked over to Sebastian who had adopted the same method of shutting out the noise.

After a few minutes he took a chance and gradually moved them away, letting out a sigh of relief on hearing nothing but silence. Hey, fangy, he called, tugging on one of the vampire’s coat sleeves, the noise has stopped.

That was uncomfortable, Sebastian grumbled. What was that?

That was the Soul Bell. It rings when there’s a new batch of souls on their way. It could be our chance to locate that soul guard. Unfortunately, that means moving even closer. Just make sure to stay down wind of the Hell Hounds, otherwise you could find yourself being used as a chew toy.

Not a pleasant thought.

Come on then, fangy. Get that ass of yours in gear.

Would you please stop calling me that.

Gray couldn’t help chuckling. The vampire proved to be so easy to annoy, and it had been years since he’d gotten under anyone’s skin, so he intended to enjoy it while it lasted.

I believe I’ve spotted her.

Where? Gray asked.

There.

Looking in the direction his companion pointed, he caught sight of a female with black and red hair. That’s her.

All they could do was wait for her to separate from the others so they could talk to her. The moment the opportunity arose, Gray sprinted over and grabbed her shoulder. A move which promptly had him on the ground, staring up at the wrong end of a spear, while Sebastian stood back laughing. A little help would be appreciated, he said, squirming to get away from both the spear and the